Riddle of Steel 2003
Be Trained or Be Chained
The word went out, The Riddle is on! Thirty seven men arrived in Lewiston. We came in
quietly, in ones and twos (and in one case sevens). The world had changed since we’d
last been here, it’s become a time to be grey and fly under the radar. We recognized those
we hadn’t met before by clothing choices, a look in the eyes or the fleeting
glimpse of a knife hilt. We came with one purpose in mind, to travel up Hell’s Canyon
and improve our knifecraft with James Keating. Many met the night before in the hotel
bar. Abrazos were exchanged with old friends and hearty handshakes traded with new.
Thursday morning we were up early for breakfast and coffee. Collecting our gear we
headed to the docks to form a line and stow our things. We loaded up and headed upriver.
The scenery was what I’d remembered. Rugged and, to use an often misused term,
awesome. I’d been reading Lewis and Clark’s journals on the plane ride out. I imagined
that the terrain had not changed much since their time. Traces of the trails used by the
Nez Perce tribe to hunt buffalo and escape the U.S. Cavalry can still be seen along the
hillsides.
We arrived at Copper Creek Lodge, got our rooms and stowed our gear. For a short
time this was to be our world, a small, polite, armed society that we created. MAAJAK
made that clear at the beginning while stating the dos and don’ts. It was time to Be
Trained or Be Chained. Strength and muscle mass only go so far, tools, along with the
skill and will to use them, could and would win the day against larger and stronger
aggressors. It was time to train. Before we got to it though, Uncle Jim had a surprise for
all of us. Sal Glesser of Spyderco fame had sent us all a gift. A Spyderco Temperance
trainer and sheath with his compliments. Mr. Glesser is a Riddle Alumni. A tip of Spike’s
hat to you and the Spyderco family, sir.
Riddlers consist of a cross section of skill levels, from novices with no experience
or training to Masters at Arms. We began with basic knife manipulations and flowed into
the six part dexterity drill. Other drills were introduced as time went on. Tsumkite,
hubud, cover and slash and pallasoot along with combative sets were introduced, trained
and experimented with. Then we tore them down, changed them around and re-built
them. If you learned it in reverse grip how could you get it to work in forward grip?
Could you take the knife away and use the concepts behind the techniques to ply them
empty handed? Conceptual thinking was taught, shown and encouraged. IXL/UXL
indeed! Everyone worked together, the more experienced teaming up to help those with
less. One of the high points of the weekend was going to a sandbar on the river for Bowie
knife work. Working backcuts and passata sottos in the sand invoked the memory of Jim
Bowie and the Vidalia Sandbar Duel.
During the weekend we were also treated to a cutting demonstration by Dr. Kay. He
keeps all his knives sharp, scary sharp, hair popping off your arm to get away from the
blade sharp. It was, as always, impressive. The good doc also freely shared his knowledge
on sharpening with anyone who would ask.
Scott Homschek taught a section on flexible weapons and gave demos of his neck
whips. Scott teaches using a conceptual model. Applying the knowledge to anything you
can bend or tie gives you a steady supply of improvised flexible tools to protect yourself
with. The neck whips became a Riddle favorite this year. Spike waited too long to get his
and now has to wait while Scott makes one up for me, sigh, learn from my error and
strike while the iron is hot!
Santos Garcia was a new, but welcome face. He made his own contribution to this
years Riddle by helping to get us all working together. The Santos Salsa was also greatly
appreciated on the morning eggs!
Because this Riddle was late in the year it got dark early. Men would break off in
small groups to share their skill, review the lessons of the day and catch up with old
friends.
Some top knife and sheath makers were on hand with their wares. Rob Patton and
their sheaths. If it had to do with cutlery and how to carry it, you could find it, buy it and
take it home from the Riddle. In addition to the things for sale, suppliers like Paladin
true.
I need to mention one thing outside of the training itself. The seven men I spoke of
were a family. Every one of them showed heart and if I had my back to to the wall they
were some men I’d want with me. There were two in the family, though, that stood out. In
spite of serious injuries that would have left others lying in bed whining, they chose to
live and, not just survive, triumph. You two were an inspiration to all of us that were
there. Justin and Steven, a tip of Spike’s hat to you both, and to your family for
encouraging you through your trials.
There were other things to do besides train and buy knives and other toys while
ogl....er, admiring others. A short boat trip further up river was a museum. Mr. Keating
and some of us took a trail around the area. We got to see some beautiful countryside and
even learn a little about natural healing. Time well spent, indeed.
Did I mention the food? Russ and Cindy, the caretakers at Copper Creek, took great
care of us. We ate like kings. There were four of us who stayed on east coast time
for the weekend. I’d be up at around four a.m. wash up and then go down by the river to
start the day (while looking out for the big cat that had been prowling around recently) by
four thirty a.m. I was in the chow hall. By five Mike, Brownie and Scott were there to
have a cup or three. Russ, Cindy or both would be there and the coffee and hot water was
always ready. I know you two didn’t get a lot of sleep when we were there. We truly
appreciated everything you two did.
Riddles are unique experiences in the world of.....hell, they’re unique experiences
period. I was talking with one of the other men there, we were trading stories about
training experiences. We both agreed that the learning curve seems much steeper at a
Riddle. Some will talk about their latest seminar, what a great time it was because of
how sore they were. If I want to be sore, I’ve got friends that will help with that. I don’t
see the sense in spending good money to have someone just beat the crap out of me.
Riddles are places to learn and acquire skill at arms. Will you be sore? Maybe. Will you
learn something you can use? Definitely. Be Trained or Be Chained indeed. Thank you
Mr. Keating, you went, as always, above and beyond.
